Pataky Kid takes Arlington-Washington Futurity

10-1 shot Gold Edge comes on strong to win 3-horse fight for first in Lassie Stakes.

September 08, 2012|By Neil Milbert, Special to the Tribune

Arlington Park(Chris Sweda/Tribune photo)

Garrett Gomez has gone from one of Arlington Park's brightest stars from the early to mid-1990s to a California-based rider of national renown.

The 40-year-old jockey returned to his old stomping grounds Saturday and guided Pataky Kid to a 3-length victory in the Grade III $150,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity.

Making the third start of his career for trainer Tom Proctor, Pataky Kid came from the middle of the eight-horse field to overtake front-running 7-10 favorite Muppet Man in the final 16th to win the one-mile race for 2-year-olds in 1 minute, 37.58 seconds.

"He was never out of his comfort zone," said Gomez, who was riding the 2-1 second choice for the first time. "He was ready to tell me when to go. It was just a matter of finding a little seam turning for home. He made the lead and I got into him (with the whip). The second time he didn't like it and he let me know; he ducked out. But I put the whip away and got him straightened out and he continued on his way (to win for the second time in three outings)."

After recording fast fractions of :23.50 for the quarter mile and :46.85 for the half, Muppet Man held on for second, finishing one length ahead of 19-1 long shot Stormin Monarcho.

"We were outrun," Muppet Man's trainer, Jimmy DiVito said in the wake of the colt's first loss in three starts. "If he didn't have the one-hole (post position) it might have been different. When you get down inside you have to go (for the lead).

"Hindsight is foresight. Maybe if he had have stayed down there instead of getting the lead he'd have been better off."

Ridden by Chris Emigh, 10-1 shot Gold Edge came on strong on the outside in the closing strides to prevail by a neck over 36-1 long shot La Song in a three-horse fight to the finish in the Futurity's sister race, the Grade III $150,000 Lassie Stakes. La Song, who had led for much of the one-mile race, nosed out 12-1 long shot Dancinginthecircle to earn second money in the 13-horse race.

"I wasn't sure we were going to get there until the last couple jumps," Emigh said. "She tries her heart out."

Clocked in 1:37.58, Gold Edge extended her undefeated streak to three races for trainer Lon Wiggins.

The race was marred by a spill. You Bought Me unseated Julio Felix early in the stretch but the horse appeared to be uninjured and the jockey didn't seem to be seriously hurt.